Researchers studied 153 women to understand how diet affects depression and health in women with multiple sclerosis (MS). They compared 73 women with MS to 80 healthy women and looked at what they ate, their depression levels, and blood test results. Women with MS had higher depression scores and larger waist measurements than the healthy group. The study found that women with MS weren’t eating as well as they could be, and improving their diet quality—especially following a brain-healthy eating pattern—might help reduce depression and improve their overall health.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether the types of foods women with MS eat are connected to depression, weight changes, and blood health markers
  • Who participated: 153 adult women aged 20-50 living in Ankara, Turkey: 73 diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and 80 healthy women without MS
  • Key finding: Women with MS had significantly higher depression scores (9.2 out of 21) compared to healthy women (6.9 out of 21), and they also had larger waist measurements and lower diet quality scores
  • What it means for you: If you have MS, paying attention to your diet quality—especially eating more brain-healthy foods—may help manage depression and weight. However, this study shows a connection, not proof that diet causes the depression, so talk to your doctor about a personalized nutrition plan.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot in time of two groups of women and compared them. They measured 73 women with MS and 80 healthy women on the same day, collecting information about their eating habits, depression levels, body measurements, and blood test results. The researchers asked women to write down everything they ate for 3 days to understand their diet patterns. They also used special questionnaires to measure depression and quality of life. This type of study is useful for finding connections between different health factors, but it can’t prove that one thing causes another.

Understanding how diet connects to depression in MS is important because depression is common in people with MS and can make the disease harder to manage. If diet plays a role, doctors could recommend specific eating changes as part of treatment. This study helps identify which women with MS might benefit most from nutrition counseling.

This study has some strengths: it included a control group for comparison, measured multiple health factors, and used validated questionnaires for depression and diet quality. However, it has limitations: it only looked at women in one city in Turkey, so results may not apply everywhere; it’s a snapshot study so we can’t prove cause and effect; and the sample size is moderate. The study provides useful information but shouldn’t be the only basis for medical decisions.

What the Results Show

Women with MS had significantly higher depression scores (averaging 9.2) compared to healthy women (averaging 6.9). This means women with MS reported more depression symptoms on average. Additionally, women with MS had larger waist measurements (84.5 cm versus 80.5 cm), suggesting they carried more weight around their middle. When researchers looked at diet quality, they found that 64.2% of women with MS had poor diets, while 72.5% of healthy women had poor diets—meaning both groups could improve their eating habits, but the MS group had slightly better diet scores overall. However, women with MS scored much lower on the MIND diet score (which measures brain-healthy eating), suggesting they weren’t eating enough of the foods that support brain health.

The study also measured blood markers related to inflammation and nutrition. Women with MS showed some differences in these blood markers compared to healthy women, though the exact patterns varied. The researchers found that diet quality (measured by the Healthy Eating Index) was similar between groups, but the type of foods eaten differed—with women with MS eating fewer brain-protective foods. About one-third of women with MS had diets that needed improvement, compared to about one-quarter of healthy women.

Previous research has shown that MS patients often experience depression more frequently than the general population, and this study confirms that pattern. Earlier studies also suggested that anti-inflammatory diets might help MS symptoms, and this research supports the idea that diet quality matters for MS patients. The finding that the MIND diet (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) scores were low in MS patients aligns with other research suggesting that brain-healthy eating patterns may be particularly important for people with neurological conditions.

This study only included women aged 20-50 in one Turkish city, so the results may not apply to men, older women, or people in other countries. Because it’s a snapshot study, we can’t prove that poor diet causes depression—only that they occur together. The study didn’t follow people over time to see if changing their diet actually improved depression. Additionally, the study relied on women remembering what they ate for 3 days, which can be inaccurate. Finally, the study didn’t account for medications, disease severity, or other factors that might affect both diet and depression.

The Bottom Line

If you have MS, consider working with a registered dietitian to improve your diet quality, with special attention to the MIND diet pattern (which emphasizes vegetables, berries, nuts, fish, and whole grains while limiting red meat and processed foods). This may help manage depression and overall health. Start by adding one brain-healthy food group at a time rather than changing everything at once. Moderate confidence: This study suggests a connection, but more research is needed to prove diet changes will reduce depression in MS patients.

Women with MS who experience depression or are concerned about their diet quality should pay special attention to these findings. Healthcare providers treating MS patients should consider nutrition as part of depression management. Healthy people can also benefit from the MIND diet principles for brain health. This research is less relevant for men with MS, though similar principles may apply.

Diet changes typically take 4-8 weeks to show effects on mood and energy levels. Blood markers and weight changes may take 8-12 weeks to become noticeable. Consistency matters more than perfection—small, sustainable changes are better than dramatic overhauls.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily servings of brain-healthy foods (leafy greens, berries, nuts, fish) and mood/depression symptoms on a 1-10 scale. Aim for at least 5 servings of vegetables and 2-3 servings of brain-healthy proteins weekly.
  • Set a weekly goal to add one new brain-healthy recipe to your meal plan. Use the app to log which MIND diet foods you eat each day and rate your mood. Create reminders to meal prep brain-healthy snacks like nuts and berries.
  • Weekly: Track mood scores and brain-healthy food servings. Monthly: Review trends in mood versus diet quality. Quarterly: Reassess overall diet quality using the MIND diet checklist and note any changes in depression symptoms or energy levels.

This research shows a connection between diet quality and depression in women with MS, but cannot prove that diet changes will cure or treat depression. If you have MS or depression, consult your neurologist or mental health provider before making significant dietary changes. This information is educational and should not replace professional medical advice. Always discuss nutrition changes with your healthcare team, especially if you take medications that interact with specific foods.